Letter: Israeli attacks in Lebanon encourage terrorist responses

SIR: Mark Berg, of the Britain Israel Public Affairs Centre (Letters, 29 July), attempts to defend Israel's extensive bombardment of much of Lebanon, by both the air force and the army - causing hundreds of civilian deaths - by describing the Shia Arabs, who for eight years have been trying to defend their country from Israeli occupation, as 'terrorists'.

He quotes the Oxford Dictionary definition of terrorism as 'the use of violence and intimidation, especially for political purposes'. Yet is this not an accurate and succinct description of the Israeli government's policy, as defined explicitly by its Prime Minister during the past few days?

Yours sincerely,

CATHAL O'CONNOR

Tiddington,

Warwickshire

29 July